13:51 26.09.2016

Avakov calls for introduction of presumption of innocence for police officers in Ukraine

2 min read
Avakov calls for introduction of presumption of innocence for police officers in Ukraine

Interior Ministry of Ukraine will submit a package of legislative initiatives to the Verkhovna Rada, which will include the imperative of the presumption of innocence of the police officer, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov has said.

"The imperative of the police officer’s presumption of innocence is to become a social norm. First, obey the police officer, and then appeal his actions! We are not talking about the required legislative amendments necessary to be adopted, relevant to the experience of the developed world democracies. The society needs to accept this rule as a necessary rule for its own security," Avakov said on his Facebook page on Monday morning.

According to him, this is not the restriction of civil liberties, but the rule of security through the order procedure for a very short time, delaying the citizen's right to appeal actions of a police officer.

"Is this a great responsibility and high-priority right to the police? Yes, it is! But there is no other way. The police force, which is being changed and reformed, should and will receive more rights and greater public confidence. There is no other way of establishing an effective law enforcement system. It is necessary to improve the police forces, enhance their level of competence and responsibility for ensuring the freedoms of every citizen. The confidence level should also be raised," the interior minister said.

According to Avakov, police officer’s presumption of innocence should work the way it works in Germany, U.S., UK, France, Italy, Canada and many other countries.

"The presumption of innocence of the police officer (first obey - then appeal) is one of the tools of establishing a collective system of internal security! The Interior Ministry will ask members of parliament to implement the package of legal security initiatives in the legislative field. The changes are being prepared for submission to the parliament!" the minister said.

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